Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Abstract: Relate mainly to his activities in San Francisco as lawyer, businessman, proprietor of the Portsmouth House, property owner,
and member of the town council. Included are letters; accounts; contracts for street and property improvements; deeds; and
petitions and other papers submitted to the council.

Languages Represented:
English

Information for Researchers

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft
Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which
must also be obtained by the reader.

Elbert P. Jones came overland to San Francisco from Kentucky in 1846. He was a lawyer, and in addition to his practice he
became active in business and municipal affairs. Late in 1846 he became proprietor of the Portsmouth House. From January to
April 1847, he served as editor of the
California Star. He also owned many town lots and built several buildings, including a store and warehouse at the foot of Washington Street
where he conducted his mercantile business.

In September 1847, Jones was elected to the town council and served briefly as secretary. Early in 1851, he and his wife,
Sarah Kittleman, of the Mormon colony, returned east. Jones died in 1852 and was buried in Charleston, South Carolina.

Scope and Content

The papers, which are in two boxes and an oversize portfolio, reflect Jones' extensive operations in real estate and his activities
as a council member and businessman. They were purchased from various dealers in 1933, 1954, 1958 and 1960.

Propositions and contracts for improvements (primarily building houses and filling water lots) made to town lots belonging
to E. P. Jones, Jan. 1849-Nov. 1850. 14 items, arranged chronologically.

Papers relating to the San Francisco Town Council

Petitions, proposals and other papers submitted to the Council, 1847-1848. Include requests for appointments as constable, sheriff and watchman; petitions requesting public printing jobs; requests
for deeds to town lots; petitions for filling the lagoon; proposals for surveying the city; proposals and agreements for building
wharves; reports of lots sold at auction; proposals to grade streets, etc. 53 items, arranged chronologically, with undated
material at the end.

Additional Note

The following are of special note: petition of Samuel Brannan and Edward C. Kemble for a public printing job, Oct. 2, 1847;
six proposals to build a school house by Foster & Spencer. A. D. W. Hatler & William H. Eddy, William Hood, John Joyce, John
Sirrine, and Daniel Stark, Oct. 11, 1847; report of the committee appointed to determine the site for a public wharf, Oct.
11, 1847; four proposals by Jasper O'Farrell for surveying San Francisco, Nov. 4, 1847; letter from Gov. Mason refusing request
to remove Alcalde Hyde, Mar. 25, 1848; protest by William A. Leidesdorff against further construction of the Broadway Wharf
(with report of surveyor Walter Herron to support protest), Apr. 3, 1848; protest by William D. M. Howard against further
extension of the Broadway Wharf, Apr. 3, 1848; protest by William S. Clark against Treasurer Leidesdorff for failure to make
a statement of funds, Apr. 4, 1848; report by R. A. Parker on his investigation of Leidesdorff's accounts, Apr. 5, 1848.

Proceedings of Council Meetings

Additional Note

Minutes, resolutions and ordinances, Sept. 1847-Apr. 1848, covering such matters as taxes, construction of wharves, sale of town lots, filling the lagoon, business licenses, gambling,
street improvement, election of school trustees, collection of debts, investigation of accounts of Treasurer William A. Leidesdorff.
24 items, arranged chronologically, with undated material at the end.

Miscellaneous papers relating to San Francisco.

Physical Description: 8 items.

1847, Mar. 6 - contract (copy) for survey of town by Jasper O'Farrell

1847, July 19 - article of agreement by W. A. Leidesdorff to release a water lot to the town

1847, Aug. 20 - article of agreement by Henry Mellus and W. D. M. Howard to release a lot to the town